Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner, center, drives between Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Martin, left, and forward Grant Williams (2) during the second half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Franz Wagner pumped in 32 points on Tuesday as the Orlando Magic cruised past the visiting Charlotte Hornets, 114-89, in NBA Cup action.
Moritz Wagner scored 18 points off the bench and Jalen Suggs tallied all 17 of his points in the first half for Orlando, which has its first three-game winning streak of the season.
Article continues after this advertisementFranz Wagner made 14 of 25 shots from the field as the Magic shot 46.2 percent overall. He also led Orlando with eight rebounds and five assists.
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LaMelo Ball’s 35 points and Grant Williams’ 15 points paced the Hornets, who have lost two straight games. Ball, who sank six shots from 3-point range, ended up with seven assists and six rebounds while shooting 13-for-27 from the field.
Article continues after this advertisementMoussa Diabate provided 12 points and 15 rebounds, but Charlotte committed 22 turnovers – twice as many as Orlando. All five Hornets starters were charged with at least two giveaways.
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Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (3) defends during the first quarter of an NBA Cup game at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Charlotte’s Brandon Miller, who had been a recent spark, slogged to an eight-point game after shooting just 3-of-18 and missing 10 of 11 3-pointers.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Hornets shot just 40.5 percent from the field and struggled at the free-throw line by going 8-for-14.
READ: NBA: Magic snap 5-game slide at expense of depleted Pelicans
Article continues after this advertisementThe Magic carried an 11-point lead into the second half and broke the game open by ending the third quarter on a 21-4 run to stretch its advantage to 89-66. Franz Wagner had nine points in the quarter, while Jonathan Isaac chipped in all seven of his points for the game on 3-of-3 shooting off the bench.
Orlando stretched its lead to as many as 30 points in the fourth quarter.
Franz Wagner, who has now led the Magic in scoring for six consecutive games, went toe-to-toe with Ball early on as each had 23 points by halftime.
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Orlando shot 53.3 percent from the field in the first half and benefited from Charlotte’s 13 turnovers to lead 58-47 at the break. –Field Level Mediapinaswin88
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